Viewing Single Post From: I DO

Viewing Single Post From: I DO - Part 2
oncetherewasaway	Dec 27 2007, 01:48 PM
McEditor Posts: 1,625 Group: .Grey Girls. Member #23 Joined: October 25, 2006	Disclaimer: We are sitting on our bums writing. The people who actually own the show are walking back and forth...or maybe around in circles, carrying signs and yelling and stuff. We sympathize with them, we want them to get what they deserve...we're just happy we're not them. Meredith sighed as Derek moved out of her grasp, quickly turning off the alarm clock as he got off the bed, leaning over quickly to kiss her forehead. "Der," she breathed, turning over onto her stomach. "Morning," he murmured against her skin, running his fingers lightly through her hair. "I have to shower, go back to sleep." "Hmmm," she sighed, stretching slightly as she hugged the pillow close to her. "Okay. Love you." "Love you too," he whispered before he pulled away and she listened as his footsteps retreated to the bathroom. She pulled the blankets tighter around her as she heard the shower turn on, her eyes starting to drift shut. She hated days like this. Days when he had to work and she didn't. Usually it was the other way around. But mornings like this were the worst. All she wanted to do was cuddle up next to him and sleep all morning, but he had a cordotomy at six. And it completely sucked. It was hell falling back to sleep after he had gotten up. If he was on schedule he'd come back and cuddle for a bit before he left but that wasn't the same. He didn't get under the covers and he was always wearing jeans and a sweater. It wasn't the same as good mornings when she could just lose herself in the warmth and comfort of his arms. And it was rare that he was actually running on time anyway. Usually he tried to get Hannah up and going before he left, which meant she would have to be up soon anyway to make sure Hannah ate breakfast and brushed her hair. And then she'd have to take Hannah to school. Which she usually loved doing, but today, she just wanted to stay cuddled in his arms. She had no reason to want to cuddle. Things were good, things were actually amazingly great. Dinner the week before had been amazing. And then shopping with his sisters hadn't been as bad as she dreaded. Mark's bachelor party was in a couple of days. Hannah was happy. Life was good, life was great. And it would be better if she could just stay in bed with Derek all day. She stretched again as she heard the door open slightly, wondering why in the world Hannah was up so early. The seven year was rarely up before six, and never after seven-thirty. But it was only fifteen minutes after five, and the little girl was definitely up. She sighed as she felt the bed shift slightly, and then Hannah's warm body cuddled up next to her, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. "Morning Hannah," Meredith murmured, kissing Hannah's forehead lightly, smiling at the familiar smell of lavender that had accompanied Hannah everywhere since she had insisted on using Meredith's conditioner. Meredith frowned lightly as she kissed Hannah's forehead again. The skin felt warm under her lips and the tiny girl was definitely emitting more body heat than she usually did. Hannah stayed silent as she curled closer to her, wrapping her arms even tighter around her as she sniffled slightly. Meredith sat up a little, turning over to place her hand on Hannah's forehead. Definitely warm, definitely a fever. She looked down into Hannah's blue eyes, frowning when she saw that they were squeezed shut, tears streaking down her cheeks. "Hannah, you okay?" Meredith asked quietly, running her fingers over Hannah's curls. "I don't feel good," Hannah murmured, curling into herself. "Oh...Hannah," Meredith sighed, hugging her tightly. "Where don't you feel good?" "My tummy hurts," she whimpered. "It's okay," Meredith murmured. "I threw up," the little girl cried. "Oh Han...shhhh...." Meredith whispered. "It's okay. You're sick but that's okay. I'm right here." "And my head hurts real bad," Hannah buried her head against Meredith's chest, tears streaking down her cheeks. "It's okay, Han," Meredith murmured, kissing her head gently. "I'm gonna throw up again," Hannah whimpered, clamoring over Meredith and throwing up into the wastebasket as Derek walked in. "Hannah? Are you sick?" Derek asked, rushing over to the bed. "I don't feel good, Daddy," Hannah whimpered as she coughed up the last of her vomit, Meredith holding back her curls and rubbing her back soothingly. "I can see that," Derek murmured. "It'll be okay." "She's running a temp," Meredith whispered as Hannah lay back down next to her, throwing her arms around Meredith's neck as she cried. "Crap," Derek sighed. "I'll call Webber and tell him I won't be in today." "Derek, it's fine," Meredith sighed. "I've got this." "No," Derek shook his head. "She's sick, she's going to want me home with her." "She'll be fine. I can take care of this. You have surgeries and your budget proposal is due today." "I know...but...I'm always home when she's sick," Derek frowned. "Webber gets it." "If you really want to stay home, fine," Meredith sighed. "But I have this. I'll give her something for her head and some Sprite for her stomach. She'll be okay." "I know you do," he nodded, reaching over to pull Hannah toward him. "No," Hannah whimpered, tightening her grasp on Meredith. "No?" Derek frowned. "I want Meredith." "Oh," Derek nodded slowly. "But...I can stay home if you want, Han. It's okay." "I've got this, Derek," Meredith whispered, kissing Hannah's warm forehead. "Okay," Derek murmured. "But if you need me, call. Even if I'm in the middle of surgery." "Derek. I'm a doctor. She's a sick kid. I think I'll be fine." "Meredith...call if you need me." "I'll be fine." "I'm sure you will...and if you're not you will call me." "Okay, okay, I'll call," Meredith rolled her eyes. "Though I'm sure I won't need to as you'll be calling all day." "I will be," he nodded, ducking down to kiss Hannah. "You sure you're okay if I go to work?" "Yeah," Hannah whimpered, curling closer to Meredith. "Okay..." Derek sighed. "Mer...the children's tylenol is above the sink...and there should be something for her stomach there too. If her temp won't go down...." "Derek. Doctor." "Meredith. Worried father." "Understood. But you telling me what to do with a sick kid is kind of like me telling you what to do with a subdural hematoma." "I know, I know," he sighed, kissing Meredith quickly. "Promise you'll call?" "I promise I'll call," she nodded, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. "And if she...you got this, I know," he smiled slightly. "I’ve got this," she nodded. "Just in case though....pediatrician?" "Dr. Ross...his number is on the phone." "Okay then," she nodded. "But we won't need Dr. Ross, will we, Han? We'll get you some toast and Sprite and you'll be fine." "Can you call the school and let them know?" Derek asked as Hannah whimpered lightly. "Of course," Meredith nodded, running her fingers through Hannah's hair. "Thank you," Derek nodded, before bending over and kissing Hannah. "I'll come home early, hun." "Kay, Daddy," Hannah groaned. "I hope you feel better soon. Love you." "Love you too, Daddy." "Love you, Mer." "Love you too, Der," Meredith smiled, cuddling back down next to Hannah, rubbing slow circles into the girl's back. "Bye guys," Derek smiled slightly before he left the room. Meredith sighed as she looked down at the whimpering girl by her side, bringing the blankets up over them. She knew Derek was worried. She got it. He was Hannah's dad, so it made sense that he would be worried when she was sick. But she had this. She could do this. It was the stomach flu, they'd be okay. She entirely had this. "Want to go back to sleep, Hannah?" Meredith asked quietly. "Yeah," Hannah whispered, turning over to bury her head under the pillow. "Okay, we can do that," Meredith nodded, hugging her close. "I'm right here, Han." "I don't like being sick," Hannah sighed. "I know you don't," Meredith murmured. "But we'll spend today sleeping and watching movies and you'll feel better soon." "Promise?" "Promise," Meredith nodded. "Good," Hannah sighed. "Cause I don't want surgery." "It's just the flu, Han, no surgery needed." "Okay." "Try to get some sleep." "Okay, Meredith," Hannah whispered. "I love you," Meredith whispered. "Love you too," Hannah whispered. "Sleep," Meredith murmured, rubbing a hand along Hannah's back. "Hmm," the little girl sighed as her breathing evened out and her body relaxed against Meredith's. Meredith frowned and hugged her tightly. She wanted to go back to sleep but she couldn't, she definitely couldn't do that. She had this. She could take care of Hannah with the flu. It was just the flu. And she had had it herself plenty of times. It would suck. Hannah would be miserable all day but they could get through this. And she wasn't going to have to call Derek. She had this. She didn't even feel the smallest bit of doubt about this. She hated that Hannah was sick, she couldn't help but want to cry for the little girl with tear-stained cheeks. But she knew how to care for sick kids. She knew how to do it. And Hannah was...Hannah was hers. For all intents and purposes, Hannah was hers. Which just made her want to take care of her even more. Sleep would help. When she had the flu when she was little her nannies always made sure she got a lot of sleep. And then movies and reading and eating toast and bananas and other bland foods that were disgusting but helped. If she was feeling better by supper she figured she could maybe heat up some of Derek's mom homemade soup. That would help. She could do this. She groaned as her cell phone rang next to her and she wiggled out of Hannah's grasp for just a second, staring at the screen. "Derek, you just left," she sighed as she answered it. "I know," he responded. "I just wanted to make sure that you know even if she's feeling better this afternoon, she has to stay inside." "No, Derek," she rolled her eyes. "I was going to send our puking daughter into the cold." "Meredith, I'm worried. I've never left her when she's been sick. I'm allowed to be worried." "I know, and I'm sorry," Meredith sighed. "But she's fine. She's sleeping right now." "Good, sleeping is good," he sighed. "She's fine, Der." "I know. And I trust you with her." "You sure? Because the calling five minutes after you left thing isn't a good sign." "I'm sure. I've just never left her with anyone before when she's sick. Just you." "I'm taking good care of her." "I know you are." "Good," she smiled. "I'll try to not call again until after my first surgery," he laughed. "I"m sure you'll have Mark or your mom call before then," she giggled as Hannah shifted slightly. "If they call it's entirely not my fault." "Of course not," she sighed. "She'll be fine, Derek. Have a good day." "You too. And call me." "Okay," she sighed dramatically. "Love you," he murmured. "Love you too," she breathed. "I'll see you tonight." "Bye, Der," she said, ending the call quickly as Hannah suddenly sat up and jumped off the bed, running to the bathroom to throw up. "Oh, Han." Meredith followed closely behind her to hold her hair as she bent over the toilet. It was fine. Meredith knew how the flu worked. She'd throw up until there was nothing left in her stomach to throw up and then she'd feel like crap the rest of the day. It was part of being a kid. A really crappy icky part but Meredith wasn't worried at all. She knew she should be, but she could handle this. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Derek ran his hand through his hair as he got out of his car that night. He had meant to be home hours earlier. Much, much earlier. He had talked to Webber about it, things had been agreed on. He had even managed to get his budget report turned in. But then there had been a car accident and he had been forced to scrub in. And now it was nearly ten and Meredith had been home alone all day with a sick seven year old. They'd be fine. Meredith was a doctor, she was good with sick people, especially good with sick kids. And it was Hannah. Hannah who had inexplicably clung to Meredith instead of him when she wasn't feeling well. Everything was probably going fine and he had nothing to worry about. Meredith and Hannah always seemed to manage just fine without him. He couldn't help but worry though. He had never left Hannah with anyone else when she had been sick. Throughout every cold, every bout of stomach flu, every tummyache, he had been home with his daughter. He hated leaving her alone, even if she was in the completely capable hands of Meredith. Meredith who had taken to calling his daughter their daughter. He let himself into the house, smiling at the quietness. That had to be a good sign. A quiet house was a sign of no chaos and no chaos was definitely good. She had been fine. Meredith had taken care of their daughter, who was usually a nightmare when she was sick, and the house was still standing. He didn't have to worry. Meredith could handle it. He looked into the living room, smiling when he saw a couple plates still on the coffee table, several DVD cases littered all over the floor. Usually he would complain about the mess, but it looked like Meredith had done everything in her power to make Hannah comfortable, including several stuffed animals sitting on the couch, wrapped in a Disney Princess blanket. For someone who had never had a real mom the mother thing had come entirely naturally to her and it was perfect. It was perfect that he had been able to leave his daughter at home sick and not come home to find his girlfriend crying in the corner, or anything to make him think it had gotten to that point. He headed upstairs, they had to be upstairs somewhere. He checked Hannah's room first, making his way over to Hannah's secret hiding place quickly to make sure Meredith's digging for stuffed animals hadn't made her discover the ring. It was still nestled in its little place, under an old forgotten teddy bear, and he stood. He really shouldn't even be worried about that right now. He had a sick little girl somewhere in the house. He found her in his bed, cuddled up closely to Meredith, both of their eyes close and their chests raising and falling steadily. The lamp on Meredith's side of the bed was left on, obviously to fight off the dark and Hannah's fear and it cast a soft glow over the both of them. Any worry left in him swooshed out as he looked at them, a small smile tugging at his lips as he studied them, both entirely okay. Hannah's head rested on Meredith's chest, her dark curls nestled underneath his girlfriend's chin. His beautiful and amazing girlfriend who had somehow managed to handle this had her arm tightly around Hannah as she slept, pulling the little girl closer to her. He blinked back quick tears and fought the urge to run back to Hannah's room and grab the ring. This would be bad timing and Hannah wouldn't appreciate it if she felt like crap. And he didn't want Hannah there, he wanted it to be just them, some things had to be just them. But this felt perfect. He was looking at his family sleep, the two of them were his family. There was no questions in his mind, no doubt. Laying in bed together, they were entirely his. He kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed, kissing Hannah's now much cooler forehead as he ran his hand over Meredith's loose and messy ponytail. "Hmmm," she sighed, stretching slightly as her eyes fluttered open. "Hey," he whispered, smiling gently at her. "Hey," she breathed. "How was it?" he murmured. "Not bad," she yawned, moving slightly to run her hand over Hannah's hair. "Her temp went down in the afternoon and she stopped throwing up. Her stomach still feels a little funny but she's fine." "Good," he smiled. "You did it." "Told you I could," she murmured. "I know," he whispered. "You're amazing." "Hmmm," she sighed. "Go back to sleep. You had a long day." "So did you." "I know," he nodded. "Sleep is the plan." "Definitely," she nodded. "Der?" "Yeah?" "I...do you...I mean, I'm Hannah's fake mom right?" "Yeah, of course." "And her real mom...I mean, she doesn't...legally, she has no right or whatever." "Legally she has no right," Derek nodded slowly. "Legally Hannah is just mine." "Just yours," Meredith murmured. "And one day...I mean, really far away but one day, you and me...we'll...I mean, this is forever?" "This is forever. One day we will get married." "Married," Meredith breathed the word, tensing only slightly before shaking her head. "Then...I mean, I could...I don't know how but I could be Hannah's real mom, maybe? Unless...I mean, she's yours so I can be her fake mommy but I could...she's yours. And...today I..." "Mer...what...what are you saying?" "Maybe she could be mine." "As in...Mer, I'm going to need you to spell this one out to me." "I haven't....I mean, I haven't thought it through all the way but I...I mean, I looked it up and I've been thinking about it for a while and...I mean, there are ways...like, adoption or...adoption." "You...want to adopt Hannah?" Derek breathed, quickly blinking away tears. "I...maybe," Meredith bit her lip. "Maybe. Unless...maybe." "Unless what?" "Unless you don't want me to. Which I would get. She's yours. Not mine. I just thought...I mean, I'm her fake mommy and one day, really, really far away we're going to be...so I just thought, but if you don't want me to, that's fine." "Mer...I want you to. There's nothing...I want nothing more than that. I want you to adopt her. I...I...kind of speechless right now but yes...yes, I want you to." "Oh," Meredith breathed. "Okay. You...okay." "You said...you did research?" he whispered. "Yeah," she nodded, blushing slightly. "I...I thought of it and I just...I did a little bit. Of research." "Okay," he nodded. "So you...who do we have to talk to?" "Probably a lawyer," she whispered and then looked up. "But, Derek...I...not for a while. I mean, it's fast and it's out there and now you want to do it but I'm still...I'm still thinking it through and it's fast. But I...eventually..." "Eventually," he smiled. "We don't have to rush this." "Good," she smiled back. "But eventually...I want to adopt her." "You want to be her mom," he breathed. "I'm already...I want to be her real mom." "Wow," he murmured. "I...I wanted this. I knew I wanted this but I wasn't going to ask. I never...I thought this was too big to ask for." "Me too," she sighed. "I just...she's mine, Derek. Today...I mean, she's yours. But she's...and I love her. So it's big and it's scary but I can do this. Because she's mine." "She's yours, I know," he nodded. "So she's mine but...I can do this." "You can," he smiled. "She'd...would she call you Mom?" "If she wanted to. If she doesn't want to that's...it's fine. But if she wants to..." "Do you want her to?" "I...maybe. Yes. If she wants to." "We can talk to her about it," he smiled, wiping at his eyes quickly. "Let's...it's a big deal and with Mark getting married and...let's wait." "We can wait," Derek agreed. "I can definitely wait." "Okay," she smiled, yawning. "You're exhausted," he sighed. "Hmmm," she nodded. "Go to sleep," he smiled. "I'm going to...just...go to sleep." "You okay?" she murmured, her fingers working over Hannah's curls as her eyes started to close. "I'm perfect." "Good," she breathed, her body relaxing. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you so much." "Love...love you too." "Night Mer." "Night, Der." Derek watched her as her breathing evened out again and her body melted against Hannah's. He hadn't been expecting that. He had been dreaming of it for months, thinking of Meredith signing the papers to make Hannah hers and Hannah calling her Mom. But he had never even thought to ask for it, to contemplate something like this actually happening. It was too much to ask for. But she had brought it up. She wanted to do it. She had taken the steps. She had done research. He hadn't even thought to look into how it would all work. He had always assumed she was too skittish, that she would always just be Hannah's step mom. But his girlfriend, his delightfully skittish amazing girlfriend had taken the steps. She wanted to be Hannah's mom. In these ever-changing days, You're the one thing that remains. I could stay like this forever. Disclaimer: Paddy is a very confusing man. We're not 100% sure if what he is saying is really good, or a little good, or mainly bad. It's all very confusing. We think it's good, we really do. If we owned the show it would be. Derek stared into his scotch and listened as the conversation swirled around him. Or kind of listened. He should be listening. Not staring into a glass of scotch and replaying the last week of his life through out his head. He had spent a good portion of his time online looking at anything he could find about Meredith adopting Hannah and what it would take. The other half was spent thinking of asking Meredith to marry him. Every day the last week he had considered going to Hannah's room to grab the ring. Every day he considered asking her to be his wife. Because she wanted to be Hannah's mom. She had even showed him some of her research, and then he had stayed up nearly all night doing some of his own. And the only thing he could think was, if she wanted to Hannah's mom, she needed to be his wife. Which meant he needed to figure out how to ask, and work up the courage to ask. Because she kept saying the future, the far far future and he wanted that future to be sometime really soonish. He wanted to marry her soonish. This was forever, they both knew that it was completely forever and it felt a little ridiculous to keep stretching this out. But he wasn't sure she was ready for this yet. They hadn't even been together for two years yet. It had been almost two years since he had seen her at the intern mixer, had wanted so badly to be with her. But they hadn't been together very long and she tensed whent he words marriage or wife were even mentioned. She wasn't ready. He was ready, he was entirely ready, but she wasn't ready for this all to become real and final. He wanted to wait for her to be ready. He was entirely ready for her to actually be ready but he wanted to wait. Except for now she was talking about being Hannah's mom, something she had never even dared to dream of. And now it just seemed like he has to ask. He had to make all of this real and final because he needed forever with her, with Hannah's mom. "Christ, Shep," Mark groaned, slapping him on the back, "try not to look so mopey, will you? The strippers aren't going to want to be around a mopey bastard." "I'm not mopey," Derek rolled his eyes. "Then what the hell is the matter with you?" Brian asked. "Nothing," Derek shook his head. "Just...had a crazy week and a lot is on my mind. But I'm fine. Strippers, looking forward to strippers." "Right," Peter laughed. "You look like you're the one who's about to take the leap in two weeks." "I'm fine," Derek shrugged. "Just...stuff on my mind." "Stuff means Grey," Mark rolled his eyes. "Shep, my night. My night with strippers. As my best man, you leave the shit with Grey behind for a night." "There's not shit with Grey," Derek groaned. "Stuff on your mind always means shit with Grey." "It's not shit," Derek rolled his eyes. "Stuff...but shit sounds bad and it's not bad. Just a lot of stuff. And crap...I sound like her, don't I?" "Yeah, you do," Ethan smirked. "She has a tendency to ramble, doesn't she? Kathleen noticed it right away. A lot of nervous habits." "Yeah," Derek sighed. "Adorable. But definitely nervous. Meredith is...nervous." "And now you're nervous," Mark sighed. "What the hell is going on, Shep? You might as well tell us before the strippers come along." "Meredith wants to adopt Hannah." "What?" Mark choked on his drink. "Mer wants to be Hannah's mom," Derek sighed. "And I want to marry her." "And another eternal bachelor falls," Brian sighed. "I've had a ring hidden at home for ages," Derek shrugged. "I fell a while ago." "You bought a ring?" Marty asked. "You spent a good chunk of money on a rock and haven't given it to her yet?" "Yeah," Derek sighed. "What's the hold up?" Brian asked. "Meredith is nervous," Derek sighed. "Meredith talks about wanting forever with me and knowing she's done. And then she talks about it like it's entirely far in the future, years and years from now. And I want it now." "Sophie did the same thing," Brian shrugged. "When I finally got the balls to ask, she sobbed her yes." "Sophie swore she was never going to get married," Derek sighed. "My point exactly," Brian grinned. "And I'm the lucky bastard who convinced her. Now look at her. Married, kids. I tamed the untameable Shepherd sister." "I'm just not sure Meredith is ready for any of this," Derek sighed. "Even with adopting Hannah...she wants to take it slow." "It's a ring," Peter shrugged. "You're not marrying her tomorrow." "I know that," Derek nodded. "I don't know if she is." "Don't listen to Peter," Mark shook his head. "Nancy-pants practically bought the ring and proposed to herself." "Yeah, well that's Nancy for you," Peter sighed. "Kathleen had her apartment wall papered with pictures of engagement rings," Ethan groaned. "See? You guys had it easy. Hannah and I picked out the ring, and I know it's perfect but how the hell am I suppposed to give it to her?" Derek asked. "Can't help you, Shep," Mark sighed. "Addie was ready before I was." "I couldn't fall in love with someone easy, could I?" Derek groaned before rolling his eyes. "Mark, no comments." "Too easy," Mark laughed. "Thank god," Derek sighed. "Take her away or something," Brian suggested. "Sex, presents, alcohol. Sophie couldn't resist a ring." "What do I do with Han?" "Well, let's see," Mark rolled his eyes, "that is a problem. Because she doesn't have aunts or uncles or a grandmother." "Do you want to take her?" Derek asked Mark. "I'm getting married in two weeks, Shep. I'd love to, but Addie would probably jump off a ferryboat or something." "We'll take her if your mother can't," Marty offered. "Since when have you ever known Katherine Shepherd to say no to taking a kid?" Peter asked. "Especially if you tell her the reason." "I am not telling her the reason," Derek groaned. "That the last thing I need her to know." "Mom would have a seizure if she found out you were proposing two weeks before I tied the knot," Mark groaned. "And of course you have to steal my thunder." "Sorry, Mark," Derek sighed. "I can't just...I have to ask her." "Can't help you, Shep," Mark sighed. "Addie was ready before I was." "I couldn't fall in love with someone easy, could I?" Derek groaned before rolling his eyes. "Mark, no comments." "Too easy," Mark laughed. "Thank god," Derek sighed. "Take her away or something," Brian suggested. "Sex, presents, alcohol. Sophie couldn't resist a ring." "What do I do with Han?" "Well, let's see," Mark rolled his eyes, "that is a problem. Because she doesn't have aunts or uncles or a grandmother." "Do you want to take her?" Derek asked Mark. "I'm getting married in two weeks, Shep. I'd love to, but Addie would probably jump off a ferryboat or something." "We'll take her if your mother can't," Marty offered. "Since when have you ever known Katherine Shepherd to say no to taking a kid?" Peter asked. "Especially if you tell her the reason." "I am not telling her the reason," Derek groaned. "That the last thing I need her to know." "Mom would have a seizure if she found out you were proposing two weeks before I tied the knot," Mark groaned. "And of course you have to steal my thunder." "Sorry, Mark," Derek sighed. "I can't just...I have to ask her." "Sophie figured you were going to soon," Brian said. "All she could talk about on the way home was you finally getting married." "I've basically wanted to ask her for months," Derek smiled. "Then get it over with," Peter grinned. "Take her away for a weekend and ask her there." "We've been talking about going to wine country but never actually go," Derek nodded. "Sonoma," Mark nodded. "Less tourists, nice hotels." "Sonoma," Derek nodded slowly. "What's the worst that can happen?" Marty asked. "If she wants to adopt Hannah, she'll say not now. Not no." "I know," Derek nodded. "You're right. She wants this." "So you're going to do it, Shep?" Mark asked. "Yeah...I'm going to do it," Derek nodded. "Good," Mark sighed. "Now you can stop moping around and give me a damn good bachelor party like you're supposed to." "This is a great bachelor party, ass," Derek frowned. "Yeah, you moping around is great." "I'm so sorry my person problems interrupt your drinking," Derek rolled his eyes. "Strippers, Shep," Mark grinned lewdly. "We drink and then go see strippers." "I know," Derek sighed. "I planned it, didn't I?" "And now he can enjoy it as one of his last days as a free man," Marty laughed. "Smart move, Shep." "Wasn't exactly my move. If I hadn't done strippers apparently Mark wouldn't be talking to me anymore." "If I can't touch another woman for the rest of my life, I want strippers," Mark nodded firmly. "We'll make sure you have a good time," Brian laughed. "Not too good," Mark sighed. "Addie's threatening to cut off the jewels if I have too good of a time. Apparently, I can look not touch. And if I touch, she gets your balls too, Shep." "What?" Derek frowned. "Your fault for bringing in the strippers," Mark shrugged. "Mark, you demanded the strippers," Derek groaned. "Addie thinks I'm an idiot," Mark laughed. "She thought you'd say no." "You're the groom, you wanted strippers," Derek shrugged. "Don't worry, Shep. You marry Grey and I'll pull out the old book for your party." "Who said I'd want strippers at my bachelor party?" "It's a bachelor party," Mark shrugged. "He has a point," Ethan laughed. "And Meredith doesn't seem like the jealous type." "She's not," Derek sighed. "But that doesn't mean I want strippers at my bachelor party." "I'm disappointed in you, Shep," Mark shook his head. "He's got it bad," Peter sighed. "It's not because of that," Derek rolled his eyes. "I just...don't know if I want strippers. I'm not even engaged yet." "Give it a week and you will be," Brian grinned. "And then you'll be begging for strippers." "I'm sure I will be," Derek laughed. "Speaking of strippers," Mark grinned lewdly, putting his glass down, "my night. I'm ready for the entertainment." "Of course you are," Derek sighed. "So let's get the hell out of here," Mark stood, putting on his leather jacket. "And get the mopey ass look off your face, Shep. You're getting engaged to Grey. And strippers tonight." "I might not actually be getting engaged," Derek pointed out. "And if this blows up in my face I'm coming after all of you." "Yeah, yeah," Brian shook his head. "You'll be one of us within the next year. Old married men who only have strippers to look forward to." "You obviously don't know Mer," Derek laughed. "Trust me, Shep won't need strippers," Mark smirked. "You haven't heard them in on call rooms." "Speaking of which...exactly how did you two get together?" Brian asked. "Besides a rocky start?" "Yeah, Shep, how did you and Grey get together," Mark smirked. "I hate you," Derek groaned to Mark. "It was...complicated. And involved a lot of sex." "They were fuck buddies." "We weren't fuck buddies. We were...it was complicated." "Fucking each other's brains out all over the hospital." "Well yes...there was that." "Shep would page her and they'd have sex. Fuck buddies. Booty calls." "Seriously? You?" Ethan frowned. "That's not your style." "I wanted to be with her," Derek sighed. "That was all she could give at that point. I was willing to wait." "Seriously?" Brian asked. "They were fucking for months," Mark grinned. "It wasn't fucking," Derek sighed. "It was a lot more complicated than that." "Fucking," Mark shrugged. "It's not that simple," Derek shrugged. "It never was." "Shep's marrying his fuck buddy," Mark laughed. "Fine, I'm marrying my fuck buddy," Derek rolled his eyes. "We used to fuck anywhere we could...up to five times a day. Happy?" "Up to..." Brian stared at him. "Up to five times a day? Holy shit, man." "Told you I didn't need strippers," Derek smirked. "Five times a day," Ethan shook his head. "It's been a while since we've had it that much," Derek shrugged. "Yeah, that's because it stops when you have kids," Marty sighed. "I said that much...we're still having it," Derek smirked. "It completely stops when you have an infant," Brian groaned. "If anyone needs strippers, it's me. At least your kids are grown, Ethan." "Yeah, we're doing okay," Ethan nodded. "Though...I think Derek seems to be getting more." "And I'm getting more than Shep. As usual," Mark laughed. "As usual? Five times a day? I'm pretty sure you weren't getting more at that point." "You keep telling yourself that, Shep." "No, Mark, you kept telling me that," Derek laughed. "Well, now, now I'm getting more than you." "Because you don't have a kid at home." "Thank god for that." "You'll have them eventually," Marty laughed. "People keep expecting that," Mark sighed. "Haven't decided yet." "Have you and Addie talked about it?" Derek asked. "Off and on," Mark shrugged. "I'd make a shit dad. And she's into the career." "You wouldn't be a shit dad," Derek shrugged. "Don't think anyone would give you an award but you wouldn't be that bad." "You have a point," Mark grinned. "I did a great job with Han. Without me, she'd be the most fucked up kid." "Of course," Derek rolled his eyes. "What about you, Shep? More kids in the future?" Brian asked. "Make your mom happy so she's off our ass about it." "No idea," Derek shrugged. "I'm not sure if I want any more and I have no idea if Meredith wants any. She was worried about Hannah because she never planned on having them." "So Mom can trust the Shepherd sisters on the grandkids front," Mark laughed. "Yeah, I'm not making any promises," Derek laughed. "The Shepherd sisters are done," Marty said firmly. "At least, my Shepherd sister is done." "I'm kind of hoping Sophie's done," Brian sighed. "Kath's definitely done," Ethan laughed. "I made sure of that ten years ago." "Same with Nancy," Peter sighed. "So that leaves you two." "Yeah, yeah," Mark shook his head. "I think it's time to man up and get the strippers in here." "Probably a good idea," Derek laughed. "So let's get the hell out of here," Mark nodded, moving towards the door. "Of course you can't pay for yourself," Derek rolled his eyes, throwing some bills on the counter. "Thanks Joe." "See you guys," Joe called. "Good luck, Sloan." "Thanks Joe," Mark nodded. "God know I'm going to need it." "I think Addie's going to need the help," Joe laughed. "You're a smart man, Joe," Derek laughed. "Hey, Joe, make sure you congratulate Shep. He's popping the question," Mark grinned as the rest of the bar looked up quickly. "Mark, you're not going to live to your wedding night," Derek groaned. "Addie would kill you." "Actually...if Mer finds out about the proposal I'm pretty sure Addie would be on my side." "Then you better ask her quick," Mark laughed as he walked out of the bar. "Seriously going to kill him," Derek groaned. "See you, Joe." "Bye, Shep," Joe nodded. Derek headed toward the door where his brother and brother-in-laws had disappeared to. He should probably listen to them. He wanted to ask her and they were right, the worst she could do was say not now. She wouldn't say no. He had to ask. And a weekend in wine country would be perfect. Alone, just them, it would be perfect timing. It was a good idea, a great idea. It's been a long time coming Down this road And now I know what I've been searching for


I DO - Part 2 · GA FAN FICS